While driving down Indiana's highways and rural roads, take note of the beauty of the forested areas or wildlife habitat that is contained within the over 4.3 million acres of land categorized as timberland in the state.
Among facts to consider about those forests you see are the number of jobs and the incomes created from timber production, the improved environment from woodlands and the sustainability of the resource.
The 2004 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service document, "Forests of Indiana: Their Economic Importance," provides valuable insights to a new perspective on this multipurpose resource.
The report suggests that every 1,000 acres of timberland directly supports 12 forest-based manufacturing jobs and these jobs generate over $1.4 billion annually in payroll to Hoosiers.
Private landowners manage the largest portion of Indiana's timberland -- 85 percent -- with nearly three-fourths being owned by families. Wayne County can set claim to over 12,000 acres of forested land and a sawmill, diversifying our agricultural base while contributing to the healthy, green land county resident call home.
And while timber and forestland may not be the first thing that comes to mind when the word agriculture is mentioned, in addition to creating jobs, this renewable resource supports furniture and wood product manufacturing, heats homes, provides a place for recreation and tourism and supplies a food source in the form of maple syrup.
The timber harvesting industry creates revenue to owners, cutting and hauling firms, marketers and delivery services. The 206 wood processing mills in Indiana provide revenue by converting Indiana's handsome variety of hardwoods into lumber, veneers and pulp. Secondary processors number over 900 and provide products in the form of architectural woodwork, paper products, wood pallets, kitchen cabinets and countertops and wood office furniture to name a few.
Although wood heat may not be the most common choice of Indiana homeowners, using wood as an energy source creates a $12 million dollar industry for commercial firewood producers in the state. It also supports sustainability of our forested areas as nearly 70 percent of the firewood produced comes from salvaged and dead trees and harvest area residues.
Hoosier forests provide recreation for hunters, fishers and wildlife watchers and they hosted over 51 million visitors in 2001 as reported by the Indiana Tourism Division. It is estimated this recreation and tourism impacts the Indiana economy at a rate of $1 billion dollars a year.
While it may be a smaller part of the industry, the importance of maple syrup production from Indiana trees makes a big impact on Hoosier families who own them. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reports an estimated 5,200 gallons of maple syrup were produced in 2001 from the 219,000 gallons of sap collected. A piece of that industry is right here in Wayne County as the Cope Environmental Center makes a sustainable agricultural use of its forested acres through maple syrup production.
And finally, you cannot forget to account for the 500,000 Christmas trees that are grown and marketed here in Indiana generating $12.5 million dollars of revenue.
Hoosier forests are another sustainable agricultural resource that shows the diversity Indiana's agriculture. The woodlands add sustainable value to the land, enhance our environment and help some farms stay in the family for generations to come. You may access the full report at http://www.ihla.org.The Palladium-Item
